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Bold color isn’t the only way to create excitement. Kitchen designer Vasi Ypsilantis used these oversized light fixtures with black fabric shades from Tech Lighting to add some wow: “They’re about 2 feet in diameter and are slightly larger than you would expect for the space,” she says. “But they give a great sense of depth perception and create drama in a room with a typical low ceiling.” The luxurious cabinets are Poggenpohl’s Marsh Oak Veneer with a rich near-black stain. Image courtesy of Poggenpohl

The kitchen has become more than just a food-preparation area, yet it remains one of the smallest rooms in the house. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) considers any kitchen 150 square feet or smaller to be a small kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it look more spacious with some big ideas.

Smaller kitchenscan be a challenge; the interior design of this kitchen provides lots of counter space and at the same time keeping things organized with the sink, cooks top and oven in close proximity.

Do: Make a small kitchen work for you.
Don’t: Think bigger is always better.
“A well-designed kitchen with high-quality materials and thoughtful details can make even the smallest space suit you perfectly,” designer Tish Key says. In this compact California kitchen, an island on castors can be easily be moved around to where it’s needed most.

Do: Leave some space to breathe.
Don’t: Go overboard with storage and fill the walls with cabinets.
“There’s rarely a need to completely fill a room with cabinets. A good layout is a balancing act between storage, function, and aesthetics,” designer Robert Bakes says. In this New York kitchen he designed with Cecil Baker, open space above the sink means there’s room to breath. Viking range and Sub-Zero refrigerator. Cabinet pulls from Doug Mockett & Co.

Do: Invest in strong and good-looking cabinets.
Don’t: Skimp on poor-quality.
“Think about it — you’re opening and closing those doors and drawers all the time. Get something strong and good-looking. Hardwoods, a good finish, and strong hinges are essential,” kitchen designer Beverly Ellsley says. In this French-inspired Connecticut kitchen, all of the cabinetry is of her own design. The intricate woodcarvings are from Ellsley’s Villa Collection for Enkeboll Designs.

Do: Have countertop around wall ovens.
Don’t: Put a wall oven off by itself.
“Where are you going to put the turkey when you take it out of the oven?” points out kitchen designer Terry Scarborough. For a Connecticut kitchen, she made sure there was plenty of counter space next to — and across from — the ovens.